11 bit studios has announced an exciting project, *Frostpunk 1886*, a comprehensive remake of the original Frostpunk game, set to release in 2027. This announcement comes just over half a year following the launch of *Frostpunk 2*. With nearly a decade since the debut of the first Frostpunk in 2018, fans are eagerly awaiting this refreshed take on the beloved city-building survival game.
*Frostpunk* transports players to an alternate history of the late 19th century, amidst a global volcanic winter. In this challenging environment, players must construct and manage a city, allocate resources wisely, make tough survival decisions, and explore the surrounding areas for survivors and vital resources.
IGN's review of the original *Frostpunk* awarded it a solid 9/10, praising its innovative blend of thematic ideas and gameplay mechanics: "Frostpunk deftly mixes a variety of thematic ideas and gameplay elements into an engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game." On the other hand, *Frostpunk 2* received an 8/10, with IGN noting, "Thanks to a ground-up rethinking of its ice-age city builder mechanics, Frostpunk 2's larger scale is less intimate but more socially and politically complex than the original."
Despite the ongoing development of *Frostpunk 1886*, 11 bit studios remains committed to supporting *Frostpunk 2* with free major content updates, a planned console launch, and additional DLC. The shift to Unreal Engine 5 for *Frostpunk 1886* marks a significant change from the studio's proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both the original *Frostpunk* and *This War of Mine*. This new engine will allow for a more dynamic and expandable platform, including long-awaited mod support and potential future DLC content.
11 bit studios describes *Frostpunk 1886* not just as a visual upgrade but as a significant evolution of the original game. It will introduce new content, mechanics, laws, and an exciting new "Purpose path," offering a fresh experience even for seasoned players. The title *Frostpunk 1886* honors a crucial moment in the game's universe, the onset of the Great Storm on New London.
The studio's vision for the future is clear: *Frostpunk 2* and *Frostpunk 1886* will evolve in tandem, each enhancing the survival experience in the unforgiving cold. Alongside these projects, 11 bit studios is also preparing for the release of *The Alters* in June, promising a diverse range of engaging gaming experiences.
